Along with the holidays come candy canes, presents, cookies, and (inevitably) engagements. It can be difficult to shop for someone who is engaged if they haven’t registered for gifts yet. I wanted to share some easy, relatively inexpensive options that can be purchased at the last-minute for those love birds in your life.

For the Lady

I am in love with this Say Yes "Mrs." Necklace from Kate Spade. Sure, she might not be able to wear it just yet, but as a real bride blogger, I’ve discovered that I’m obsessed with anything marriage or wedding-related right now, and I don’t think I’m alone on that one. 

Another option for the bride would be something practical. She’s likely cutting back on costs in order to pay for upcoming nuptials or a honeymoon so a practical gift will be much appreciated. Try a cozy scarf and gloves or an oversized sweater.

For the Lad

If you truly want to show a friend, coworker or family member you’re happy for him and his future wife, how about a toast? Try gifting a case of beer from a local brewery paired with drinking glasses embossed with his favorite team’s logo. My sister bought Corey this Pittsburgh Penguins 2 Piece Glass Pilsner Set a few years back and they were a hit!

Each week, we feature wedding music recommendations from Scratch Weddings, the nation's leader with the best wedding DJs at affordable prices. This week's post comes from DJ Alkimist. Originally trained as a classical violist, Alkimist's firm grasp of music theory allows her to create seamless transitions between songs as diverse as a 60's pop hit and a house-inspired club remix. She loves to stretch her limits. "I will play exactly what a couple wants – if they want to get specific, that's great, but even if they just communicate the feel they are going for, I can create an entire playlist based on that vibe.” Alkimist's keen ear and effortless DJ style are quickly earning her the distinction of being one of DC's rising DJ stars.

Photo Credit: K and K Photography

Christmas is just two days away, but when we spotted this genius idea from a real wedding shot by Two Chics Photography, we immediately thought of all our BG brides who are plotting holiday weddings for 2012!

In lieu of a traditional guestbook, couple Chad and Lucy came up with the concept of a "wishing tree," where guests sign an ornament with their name and advice or wishes for the newlyweds.

Every year, around their anniversary, they can hang the ornaments on their Christmas tree together and it will remind them of the happiness of their wedding day.

Tell us: What's the best idea for re-usable wedding decor that you've seen recently?

Want to get a headstart on your wedding planning in the New Year?

Santa Clara brides, we've got just the ticket: Join expert celebrity planners Preston Bailey, Sasha Souza, Nikki Khan and Bryan Rafanelli at The Wedding Faire & Symposium from Jan. 6th - 8th!

They'll share their expertise and all of the newest wedding trends during special workshops throughout the day. The Wedding Faire will also include 100+ photo booth displays and vendor exhibits, as well as bridal fashion shows (it's the largest wedding planning event in NoCal). Get additional info and purchase your ticket at wedding-faire.com.

If you can't make the event (is it too late for the BG editors to hop on a plane from NYC?), we've got an exclusive sneak peek at some of the trends that will be featured in Faire. They also offer wedding planning tools for brides across the country.

1. Incorporate Color Into Your Gown

At New York Bridal Fashion Week, we saw gorgeous gowns in a variety of hues, from pink to icy blue to black for 2012. If you're dead-set on wearing a white dress, you can still find ways to include a pop of color in your bridal ensemble.

Janet and Cameron rang in 2011 with a beautiful snowy wedding in Park City, Utah. Check out the amazing photos from photographer Rebekah Westover!